6 Best Hotels in The Osa Peninsula and the South Pacific, Costa Rica

This wildly family-friendly, comfortable ecolodge makes a great base for exploring vast tracts of surrounding forest (both primary and secondary), plus there are mangroves, a beach with nesting turtles, and 366 bird species. The dozen rooms in various cabins and the guest rooms all have hot water. The original cabins have sitting rooms with wood furniture, kitchenettes, screened-in porches, and lush flower borders. Four of them are superior cabins, with higher ceilings, bigger bathrooms, and sleep three or four people, in combinations of single and double and king-size beds. Two economy cabins have three bedrooms each. Six handsome guest rooms built with plantation teak have high ceilings, tiled showers, and small porches looking onto a swimming pool aflutter with birds and butterflies visiting the surrounding flowering shrubs. Knowledgeable bilingual guides interpret the miles of trails, or you can follow the self-guided trail. The open-air restaurant has excellent fruit smoothies and coffee, and flavorful local food, and you can also dine at a private wooden table set under the umbrella canopy of an almond tree. There's a great gift shop with lots of local crafts, Boruca textiles, and nature books, including books of wildlife stories written by the original owner Jack Ewing, a great storyteller and local historian. Linger for an hour or two atop a lofty bird-observation platform in the hotel's rainforest canopy, zip along the canopy tour, climb a 114-foot-high tree with ropes, or stay overnight at a shelter in the heart of the forest.

Overlooking the harbor, these air-conditioned rooms set in a lush garden are the most comfortable in town, and have the best water views. Rooms vary in size and price, but they all have colorful murals of wildlife and foliage, along with bright, tiled bathrooms, making this affordable place a cut above the rest. Coffeemakers and small refrigerators are another nice touch. A two-story house on the property can accommodate up to six. For a waterfront room, request 1, 2, 10, 15, 17, 18, or 21. Bicycles and kayaks are available to guests, and there's Wi-Fi throughout the property. You can enjoy the sound of the surf from your private terrace or the hammock hut. Cool off by jumping right into the gulf at high tide or take a dip in the plunge pool.

This secluded cluster of self-catering cabins right on the beach, under palm trees swaying in the breeze, is designed for parties of two to four people who want to kick back and enjoy the beach. Artist Susan England is a Zancudo fixture, and she can organize any activity, including river safaris, kayaking tours, and visits to nature preserves. Two idyllic, castaway-island cabins have thatched roofs and hammocks and lots of clever decorating details. The other two are 40-year-old renovated banana-company wood houses moved here from Palmar Norte and painted pastel pink and yellow. It's a rare chance to experience a little bit of Costa Rican history. Many guests return the same time every year, drawn to the fully-equipped kitchens where they can cook with ingredients from the nearby market or veggie truck that passes every few days. There's a discount if you rent for a full week or visit during slow season.

This well-managed ecolodge in a 35-acre nature preserve bordering Piedras Blancas National Park is run by Austrians who have successfully instilled some sense of Teutonic order in the jungle. The rustic cabins have two tidy rooms (can be rented separately) with tile floors, reading lamps, and airy, private bathrooms with plenty of hot water. The rooms are a little dark, but are brightened by colorful, appliqué curtains and woven-cotton bedspreads made by Guaymí and Boruca artisans. A saltwater swimming pool is cool and refreshing, and fragrant white ginger and ylang-ylang encircle a pond. Another nearby pond has a lookout for bird-watchers and is home to contented, well-fed caimans. Local guides lead visitors along thrilling trails to the waterfalls and deep into primary forest. The dining room, lighted by romantically flickering candles, serves huge portions of wholesome and delicious local food. For families or foursomes, there is a fully equipped Jungle Villa with two bedrooms with forest views.

Just as the name implies, there's plenty of sun and sea, as well as a beach fringed by coconut palms and apricot-colored wooden cabinas with porches where you can take in the spectacular views of the Osa Peninsula year-round. Each breezy, roomy cabina (sleeps four) has high ceilings, lots of cooling fans, and has been recently refreshed. Two of the sunny bathrooms feature pebble-lined showers. The alfresco restaurant serves the town's heartiest meals and the tastiest brownies. The popular U-shaped bar is an easy place to meet new friends.

You'll be charmed by this boutique ecolodge at jungle's edge, a modern representation of indigenous dwellings. The cabinas have comfortable king beds, mini refrigerators, and terraces where you can watch the birds, butterflies, monkeys, and sometimes sloths in the jungle. Three of the rooms have both indoor and garden showers, while the fourth room is slightly larger at the foot of the stream. Tile floors and plenty of shade keep rooms cool, or you can swim in the lovely saltwater pool (there's no air conditioning). Enjoy a delicious breakfast that changes daily; it's included along with the Costa Rican owners' personal concierge service and overall attentiveness.